Gilbert Frank Kalich's Obituary
Gilbert Frank Kalich was born March 20, 1920 in Taylor, TX, the son of Jim Kalich and Sophie Zrubek, passed away November 22, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Kalich (12/23/2005) and his daughter, Gloria Jean Thrasher (11/07/2016); his sister, Lillian Campbell of Hutto. He is survived by his son, Paul G. Kalich; grandson, Ira “Richie” Thrasher Jr. of Rockdale, and granddaughter, Jennifer Sellers and husband, Bret L. of Friendswood; six great-grandchildren, Cabe Temple of Rockdale, Jacob, Matthew, Grant, Landon and Catelyn Sellers all of Friendswood, sister-In-law, Mary Adkins of Jasper, TN and numerous nephews and nieces. He attended school in Circleville and Granger and lived on a farm until August 1941 when he enlisted in the US Army. A Sargent, he served in the Pacific front as a Gun Commander and Army Ranger in Company B, 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 40th Division and his tour of duty included the Hawaiian Islands, Guadalcanal, New Britain, and the Philippines. He received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained when a mortar shell hit his tank. Other medals awarded include the American Theater Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged August 1945 and moved to Dallas where he worked for the US Postal Service until his retirement with 30 years of service. Gilbert was in the Youth Conservation Corp and worked on the Lake Buchanan Dam in Central Texas in Llano County. He entered the U.S. Army in 1941 and trained in Kauai, Hawaii before being sent to fight in the Philippines. He received the Purple Heart in battle in his tank battalion the 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He returned to Texas and moved to Dallas where he met his wife. He married Bessie Ruzicka November 16, 1946, his wife of 59 years. They lived in Dallas and Richardson and raised two children – Paul G. Kalich of Richardson and Gloria J. Thrasher of Rockdale. He was a founding member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Richardson and an active member of the SPJST for over 70 years. He enjoyed gardening, and traveling. He joined the U.S.Postal Service and worked there for his career as a letter carrier. He raised his family in Richardson, Texas. He was pleased that both of his children graduated college with his son attaining his MBA. He was a member of SPJST, KJZT and Sokol and other Czech social groups. He and his wife loved to dance the polka and other dances. He passed restfully in his sleep with his son at his side. Visitation and Rosary will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday, November 28, 2016 at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at the North Chapel of the main Mausoleum at Calvary Hill Cemetery at 12:00 PM, Tuesday, November 29, 2016. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243
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